Predators to honor Peterson on Saturday

This Saturday, the Nashville Predators will honor former Associate Coach and current Hockey Operations Advisor Brent Peterson with a Brent Peterson Appreciation/Parkinson’s Awareness Night for his contributions to the organization, and courage for taking his battle with Parkinson’s to the public.

Special initiatives from the night include the introduction of the “Miles for Petey” campaign, designed to encourage fans to make a monetary donation to Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s (PFP) for every mile the Predators fly during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs; Brent Peterson “look-a-like” mask giveaways to all in attendance; a pre-game check presentation to the PFP; donation opportunities; PFP information tables at the section 120 Community Corner and more.

From the first time the Predators took to the ice until the end of the 2010-11 season, Brent Peterson provided a stable presence behind the Nashville Predators bench. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s almost a decade ago, the veteran of 620 NHL games played and more than 1000 NHL games coached stepped down from his long-standing position this past summer due to advancement of the disease. Recently, Peterson brought his battle with Parkinson’s into the public eye – including in-depth coverage of his Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery (DBS) – in an effort to create awareness and cultivate donations to the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s. Donations to PFP fund critical research to aid in the fight against the disease.

“The strength and sense of humor Brent has shown throughout his battle with Parkinson’s has been incredible and inspiring,” Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager David Poile said. “Choosing to make his journey and treatment public couldn’t have been easy, but shining the light on living with Parkinson’s has helped create invaluable awareness. He has given so much to this organization in his tenure and kept his spirit even through challenging times; we couldn’t be prouder to stand with Brent and help spread the word in any way we can.”

After the completion of DBS surgery this past December, Brent is currently healthy and has seen a remarkable decrease in symptoms associated with Parkinson’s.

The mission of Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s is to educate and raise awareness of the devastating effects of Parkinson’s disease. Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s raises funds to benefit Parkinson’s related research, education and support groups in the Middle Tennessee area as well as nationally. The Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s also partners with the Nashville Predators Foundation for the Nashville Predators/Brent Peterson Celebrity Golf Classic and Petey’s Preds Party. This year’s event will take place Sept. 17 and 18. Visit nashvillepredators.com/golf for more information. For more information on the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s, and to donate to the “Miles for Petey” campaign, visit petersonforparkinsons.org.